CEDAR Inc., a not-for-profit corporation was formed in July 1993 as a partnership between the Coal Industry, Business Community and Academia. The organization was formed through the joint efforts of the North Carolina Coal Institute (NCCI-The Coal Institute) and Coal Operators and Associates of Pikeville, Kentucky for the purpose of improving the image of the Coal Industry.

CEDAR’s Mission

To facilitate the increase of knowledge and understanding of the many benefits the Coal Industry provides in our daily lives by providing financial resources and coal education materials to implement its study in the school curriculum.

To provide opportunity, incentive, and encouragement to teachers and students to become problem solvers relative to either/or both of the following:

• Investigate and identify the causes of the significant decline in the demand for coal as an energy source, and explore possible solutions to those causes, or possible new uses for coal, that could enable the industry to regain its prominence as a thriving industry within our region;

• Investigate and research ways to re-purpose abandoned mined lands, and/or reclaimed mined lands that could help provide economic stimulation to our region.

CEDAR’s Target Group

CEDAR’s Target Group is grades K-12th in all schools (public and private) in the Eastern Kentucky counties of:

• Breathitt• Floyd• Harlan• Johnson• Knott• Lawrence

• Leslie • Letcher• Magoffin• Martin• Perry• Pike

CEDAR’s Goal

CEDAR’s Goal is to enable our citizens to form a knowledgeable and unbiased opinion of the Coal Industry.